Fund of the Sacred Circle (Minnesota, Wisconsin)

Application deadline: Monday, August 3, 2009 (generally the first Monday in August, annually). Applications must be postmarked on or before the due date or in the office by 5:00pm. Deliver or mail to: Headwaters Foundation for Justice; 2801 21st Ave S Ste 132B; Minneapolis, MN 55407. Information sessions are held before each grant round. Headwaters staff will walk you through the grant application and funding process - covering the dos and don'ts of grant writing. The sessions allow plenty of time for questions. To see the current schedule, go to http://headwatersfund.org/flash/sacredcirclel.htm. For additional information contact Monica 612-879-0602 ext. 10 monica@headwatersfoundation.org or David 612-879-0602 ext. 11 david@headwatersfoundation.org

Headwaters' grantmaking advances two core objectives: (1) Changing systems of injustice; (2) Increasing the power of historically excluded communities. Headwaters has four grantmaking Funds: (1) Social Change Fund - supporting a broad range of social, economic and racial justice organizing; (2) Fund of the Sacred Circle - supporting organizing by the American Indian community; (3) Environmental Justice Fund - supporting communities disproportionately impacted by environmental issues; (4) Democracy! Fund - supporting civic participation and electoral organizing. The Fund of the Sacred Circle (FSC) supports Native leadership working to ensure that indigenous cultures are honored, American Indians are treated with fairness and equity, and that the sovereignty and self-determination of Native people is secure. The fund is Native-led, supporting projects that address systemic injustice affecting American Indian communities. The fund is a partnership of Native activists and donors of all backgrounds, supported by Headwaters Foundation for Justice and the Wisconsin Community Fund. The Fund of the Sacred Circle supports American Indian organizations throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin addressing issues of racial, social, economic and environmental justice. The fund has identified (but is not limited to) the following areas of interest: (1) Language and cultural revitalization: Language and culture is vital to the identity and future of American Indians. The fund supports groups engaged in changing society by preserving, protecting, and promoting Native culture and language. (2) Land and environmental restoration: Environmental destruction and loss of tribal lands negatively impacts the cultural, spiritual and economic well-being of our communities. The fund supports organizing work to reclaim traditional land base and restore traditional stewardship of natural resources. (3) Sovereignty and treaty rights: American Indians have a unique historical and legal status as sovereign nations. The fund supports organizing efforts that uphold and advance tribal sovereignty and treaty rights. (4) Self-determination and civil rights: Native communities long have experienced genocidal and assimilation policies and practices. The fund supports efforts to ensure that the civil, legal, political and religious rights of American Indian's are secure, and that native heritage and self-determination is respected and defended. Planning Grants of up to $5,000 are awarded to community-based organizations working for social, racial, economic and environmental justice. Generally, organizations at this level are building constituency, organizational structure and/or community leadership and are developing political analyses identifying the steps toward systemic change. Implementation Grants of up to $10,000 are made to strong and stable community-based organizations working for social, racial, economic and environmental justice. Support is targeted to organizations with established track records, solid constituencies that provide leadership and accountability to the group, and strong collaborations that advance social-justice movements. The purpose and objectives of this program are very specific in nature. The distinct subject matter of this funding opportunity necessitates a thorough review of the official program guidance referenced at the URL provided in the contact section of this summary.

History of Funds:

None is available.

Average Award:

$10,000

Also: David 612-879-0602 ext. 11 david@headwatersfoundation.org

Contact Information:

Name: Monica - Fund of the Sacred Circle

Department: Headwaters Foundation for Justice

City: Minneapolis

Zip: 55407

Email: monica@headwatersfoundation.org